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Glite Dictionary
medusa's head

medusa's head

9.9
A small African succulent plant with many thin hanging branches like snakes
  • noun
  • South African
translation icon : cabeza de medusa
  • Gardeners often display the medusa's head in rock gardens because of its unique appearance.

Examples

  • The medusa's head is prized by collectors for its unusual, snake-like branches.

  • Despite being rare, the medusa's head thrives in well-drained, sandy soil.

  • I bought a beautiful medusa's head plant for my garden.

  • The medusa's head thrives in dry conditions.

  • The unique shape of the medusa's head makes it a fascinating addition to any garden.

  • Because of its striking, drooping branches, the medusa's head is ideal for rock gardens.

  • Many people admire the medusa's head for its resemblance to snakes, giving it a distinct look.

Synonyms

Euphorbia caput-medusae
vsmedusa's head
  • South African
9.9

A small African plant with thick stems and many long, snake-like branches

is a descriptive name that highlights hairlike drooping branches
Euphorbia medusae
vsmedusa's head
  • Specialized
9.9

A small succulent shrub from Africa with many thin, hanging branches

is a descriptive name focusing on its hairlike drooping branch appearance

Surface Forms

medusa's head singular
medusa's heads plural

Morphology

medusa's + head

The noun 'head' is literal but the meaning relies on the proper-name 'Medusa' (a mythological figure with hair-like snakes), so the plant name is a metaphorical resemblance. A B1 learner who knows both constituents and the Medusa reference can infer the sense, but many learners may lack that cultural knowledge, making the connection only partially predictable.

Etymology

Medusa's head gets its name from the old Greek story of Medusa. The plant's many thin, hanging branches look like Medusa's 'snake hair', so the name helps people picture this small shrub.